Obituaries February 8, 2017

Ruth Madeline Barron, 103, died on January 30, 2017, at the Ethan Allen Residence in Burlington.

She was sharp of wit and mind, and occasionally of tongue when the occasion warranted it, to the end. She died in her sleep with excellent care, in pleasant surroundings that she had called home for the last four years.

Ms. Barron was born in January of 1914 in Barton. She attended Barton Graded School, Barton High School, and the University of Vermont, graduating with a doctorate in history in 1936. For the next ten years, she worked and attended (off and on) Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1946, with a master’s degree in science.

Her life’s work took her to several cities east of the Mississippi River, where she worked at different times with children, young adults, adults, and seniors in special care facilities. Ms. Barron retired at the age of 70 and moved to Burlington to be close to family members.

An avid reader all her life, she especially enjoyed mystery and detective novels and read about the cities and countries to which she traveled. She traveled throughout the world with Venice and Russia, in that order, being her two favorite destinations, both of which she visited several times. Her last trip abroad was to Brazil in October 2003 at the age of 89 to attend the wedding of her great nephew.

With these interests, Ms. Barron paid little attention to television, with the exception of news and baseball, specifically, the Boston Red Sox. She was a huge fan and knew all the team members, their statistics, and a great deal about their opponents over the years. She enjoyed classical music and visits to Manhattan to attend theater productions and to visit museums.

She is survived by her two nieces: Carley Stevens-McLaughlin, and her children: Cassandra Townshend, and Calista Freitag and their families; and Rowena Drown, and her children: Rhonda Coates, Jarrett Drown, and Harley Drown and their families. She is also survived by her two nephews: Graydon Stevens and Larry Stevens, and his two children Tinah Whitcomb, and Eric Stevens, and their families.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Barron, Betty Hebert, and Priscilla Stevens Sharp.

Interment will be held in the spring.

Allen Lee Charland Sr.

Allen Lee Charland Sr., 70, died January 28, 2017, in Vergennes, surrounded by his loving family and loyal friends Dick Eddie and Bob Manny.

Mr. Charland was born June 20, 1946, in Newport, to Bernard H. and Madeline (Judd) Charland. He lived briefly on his grandparents’ Judd’s farm after a fire destroyed the family home in Morgan. This is where he acquired his love of farming and trucking. The remainder of his childhood was spent in West Charleston with his natural family. At the age of 50, Mr. Charland earned his GED, which he was most proud of. He loved to put models together with his grandson Tyler, enjoyed listening to country music, and most of all loved fishing with his grandchildren.

Mr. Charland lived with his loving daughter Nicki and her husband, Kurt, the last few months of his life, where he enjoyed making jams, helping in the kitchen, and playing cards. He loved his grandchildren, Sean, Andrew, JR, Alexis, Paige, Tyler, and Dante, with all his heart.

In the last months of his life his most loving granddaughter Alexis spent every day with him and during this time he was introduced to Snap Chat and Facebook. His great-grandson Jack spent many of these days with him as well. He thought the world of Jack, as well as his loyal cat, Petey.

He is survived by his loving sons: Sid Sumner and his wife, Carol, of Monkton, Charles Sumner and his wife, Debbie, of Bridport, Sam Charland and his wife, Maureen, of Norwich, Connecticut, and Bernard of Burlington; his loving daughters Nicki DeGraaf and her husband, Kurt, of Vergennes, Angeline of Burlington, and Bernadette of Bristol. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Pat Charland of Newport; brother-in-law Gary Major of North Carolina; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dianna (Mayo) Charland; his daughter Kimberly Charland; his parents; and by siblings Robert Charland, Bonnie (Charland) Major, and Jimmy Charland.

A celebration of Mr. Charland’s life will be held in the spring at Clark Cemetery in Morgan, with his friends and family.

Dawson D. Green, 71, of Derby, died on February 1, 2017, at Bel-Aire Center in Newport.

He was born on March 3, 1945, in Derby. He was the son of Earl J. and Cora B. (Trucott) Green.

Mr. Green worked as a farmhand in earlier years then went on to work in the woods.

He is survived by his brother Hubert Green and his wife, Sherry; his sister-in-law Mary Green; by many nieces and nephews; and by his best friend Lucy the beagle.

He is predeceased by his parents; and by three brothers: Dale, Waldo, and Roland Green.

Per Mr. Green’s wishes, there will be no services.

Online condolences may be made at www.curtis-britch.com.

Kay Lafoe Harding

Kay Harding, 70, died at her home in Alliance, Nebraska, on January 17, 2017, after a long illness.

She was born in Alliance on June 16, 1946, where she spent her early years. Then in the tenth grade, her parents moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where she finished high school and then attended the University of Wyoming, and got her degree in physical education.

Her son, Trent Ackerson, was born in Laramie, and then they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she met Richard Lafoe from Derby Line. They got married in Laramie and moved to Morgan, and then to Holland. Their son Alex was born when they lived in Holland.

Ms. Harding was a self-employed bookkeeper and income tax preparer for several businesses in the area and worked with the weatherization program for many years. She was active in many community activities. She started the Morgan Red Cross Swim Project at Seymour Lake, chaired the first Morgan Green Up Day, was a member of the “Dizzy Dames” Home Dem. Club, and volunteered at the Morgan Elementary School.

When she moved to Holland she did not stop. Ms. Harding was the Holland delinquent tax collector and a representative for the town with the North Country Supervisory Union. She coached the majorettes at North Country Union High School, worked with migrant education in the area and ran for state representative for Orleans County. She had other odd jobs at the Long Branch and the East Side Restaurant. She enjoyed, and was proud of, her work with The Border Livestock 4-H Club, as she was a 4-H member in her youth. Her last years of working were at Canaan High School where she mentored several children who continued to be in contact with her for many years.

Ms. Harding was in Vermont for 25 years. Then the Midwest was calling her home, first in Montana, and then back to her roots in Alliance. There she was active in the church and was in the bell choir and volunteered wherever needed in her senior community.

On a more personal note, anyone who knew Ms. Harding was aware that if she had an opinion on something she was not afraid to express it. She was an avid reader and had the uncanny ability to remember everything she read. She was very creative with crafts and was always willing to share her talents with anyone who wanted to learn. Her Christmas wreaths were outstanding and she sent them to all her family. She was an avid gardener and had the most beautiful flowerbeds. Her animals meant the world to her, especially Anuke. Spending time by a nice fire in the evenings was her comfort and relaxation.

Ms. Harding had an eclectic variety of friends and if you were fortunate to be one of them you got to know the special person she was and the big heart she had.

She was predeceased by her mother, Ellinor Miller Harding; her father, Perry Harding; and recently by her older brother Perry “Butch” Harding; leaving her younger brother Greg Harding.

She is survived by her two sons: Trent Ackerson and his wife, Stacy, of Almont, Colorado, and Alex Lafoe, of Gunnison, Colorado; her grandchildren: Trent Ackerson Jr. and his friend, Stacie Bingham, Cody Ackerson, Josh Ackerson, and Bruce and Birke Lafoe, all of Gunnison. She loved all of her boys unconditionally. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by many. Rest in peace and love.

Linda R. Herman

Linda R. Herman, 73, of Brownington, died on January 27, 2017, in Newport.

She was born on April 29, 1943, in Newport, a daughter to Howard and Vivian (Joslyn) Coapland.

On May 4, 1962, she married Allan Herman, who predeceased her on October 11, 2016.

She liked to crochet and knit, going to Florida with her husband, having her grandchildren stay overnight, and playing cards. She loved flowers and birds, and liked cooking for her family.

She is survived by her children: Mary Maclure and her husband, Marcel, Penny White and her husband, Bruce, Allan Herman Jr. and his companion, Melissa McElroy, and by her son Allan’s stepdaughter Linda Bryce and her husband, Ed. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brandon, Nicholas, and Jonathan Maclure and his wife, Tia, Tonya White, Vanessa White and her boyfriend, Jason Joyal, Hillary White and her boyfriend, Chris LaBounty, Keith and Emily Herman; and by her great-grandchildren: Alexander and Elijah Maclure; by her in-laws, Barbara Wright and her husband, Ross, Frances Fletcher, Norman Herman, Wendal Herman and his wife, Nancy; by several nieces and nephews; by her very close friend Janice Glasson; and by the two who called her gram, Melanie and Dylan Gagnon.

She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Roger Fletcher; and sister-in-law Pat Herman.

Interment will be held in the Coventry Village Cemetery in the spring.

Online condolences may be made at www.curtis-britch.com.

Harriet Urie King

Harriet Urie King, 90, died at her home in West Glover on February 5, 2017.

She was born in Andersonville in the town of Glover on June 5, 1926, to Ernest and Mae (Corner) Urie. She attended graded school in Andersonville and graduated from Craftsbury Academy. After high school she worked in a children’s hospital in Haverstraw, New York.

On August 25, 1948, she married Donald King and they were married for 68 years. They lived for 30 years on the King family farm, then moved to their home on King Hill.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. King is survived by her four children: Evelyn and David Kennison of Irasburg, Wayne and Denise King of Williamstown, Dean and Patricia King of Burlington, and Gregory and Rhonda King of Lyndonville; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She also leaves a brother, Bernard Urie of Orleans; a sister, Beverly Grant of Barre; and two sisters-in-law: Pearl Urie of West Glover and Ellen Urie of Canaan, Connecticut. She was predeceased by a daughter Donalie Jean; brothers: John, Edwin, and Howard; and by a sister, Mary Ellen Knapp.

Mrs. King was a member of the West Glover Church and the Willing Workers.

She loved watching the birds all year long, and enjoyed her gardens and the many flowers around her home. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved the many family gatherings held in their home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, at the West Glover Church with the Reverend Evelyn Coup officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the hour of the funeral. Spring interment will be in Westlook Cemetery in Glover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Glover Church, 16 Davio Place, West Glover, Vermont 05875. Online condolences can be made at curtis-britch.com.

Shirley L. Pearson

Shirley L. Pearson, 77, of Barton, died on February 3, 2017, at her home.

She was born on May 30, 1939, in Greensboro, to Donald and Ellen (Stearns) Willey. She married Cliff Pearson, who predeceased her.

She was a caregiver at the Gennis Nursing Home in Morrisville for many years where she retired. Mrs. Pearson enjoyed being with people, going for rides on back country roads with her husband, and stopping at local eating places for lunch. She also was an avid reader and loved playing cards with family and friends.

She is survived by her siblings: Virginia Richardson and her husband, Don, Linda Smith and her husband, Richard, Jeannette Guyette, and Sylvia Gates; and by her special family: Buck, Sheree, Linz, and Wes Parker. She is also survived by her very good friend, Julie McKay; as well as her close friend and caregiver Brenda Lanou. She was predeceased by her son Donald Chabot; by her brother Frank; sister Evelyn Kellog; and by her nephews Donald Marckres and David Ostrout.

A memorial service will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 12 Elm Street, in Barton.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Northeast Kingdom Home Care, P.O. Box 250, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences can be made at curtis-britch.com.

Paul Stanley Winship

Paul Stanley Winship, 81, of Lowell, died on November 25, 2016, at his home.

He was born on September 7, 1935, in Fairfax, the only child of Stanley Sylvester Winship and Frances Matilda Cross. His family moved to Essex Junction where they lived and worked on the Whitcomb farm for many years. He graduated in 1954 from Essex High School where he played on the baseball and basketball teams.

Mr. Winship joined the Vermont Air National Guard in 1956 where he served honorably as a full-time technician until 1986. His 29 years of service included tours in the base supply complex and the motor vehicle section. He also enjoyed an active participation in Vermont Air National Guard volunteer activities. He served as a member of the technician recognition committee, and was a member of the Vermont Air National Guard rifle and pistol team, where he won many medals and trophies, of which he was very proud. He was also selected for driver/escort duty for many dignitaries who visited the Guard during his career. Mr. Winship retired from the Guard with the rank of master sergeant.

In his free time Mr. Winship enjoyed wildlife photography, camping, fishing, hunting, competitive rifle and pistol shooting, archery, gunsmithing, and car restoration and repair. He was a member of the Green Mountain Corvette Club where he won first- and third-place trophies for the 1967 Corvette that he bought and fully restored. He participated in and won trophies in many rifle, pistol, and archery competitions at various fish and game clubs. His hunting and fishing took him to Canada and Maine as well as to Pennsylvania and Wyoming. He loved the peacefulness and solitude of the unspoiled great outdoors, which is why he moved to Lowell, in 1988, where he bought a deer camp and renovated it to become his home and mountain getaway.

He is survived by his only child, Kathy Brady, and her husband, James C. Brady, of Essex Junction; as well as his five grandchildren who he enjoyed spending holidays and special occasions with: Dylan, Rory, and Danielle Brady of Essex Junction, Hagen Brady now living in Washington State, and Sahra Brady and her husband, Andres Velasquez, of Los Angeles, California. In May of 2015 he welcomed his first great-grandson, Matias Velasquez, who came to visit Vermont from California and met his great-grandpa in October 2015.

A memorial for family and friends is being considered for a date to be announced later. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312

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